The Elmhurst College football team took a gut wrenching loss against Carroll University on Saturday at Langhorst Stadium.

The Bluejays went into the game without their starting quarterback, Orlando Hernandez, because of an ankle injury.

“Anyone would get nervous when the starter goes down, but luckily our coaching staff did a good job preparing us for this situation,” explained substitute QB Chase Hankins.

However, the team lost 16-14.

The Bluejays offense came out strong in the second quarter. They drove 85 yards down the field with 10 plays. They resulted in a touchdown run by WR Jawan Gaines to put them on the board 7-0. The extra point was good by Blake Bailey.

Carroll then countered in the third quarter by driving 80 yards down the field with 9 plays. They resulted in a touchdown run by QB Colton Bahling to put the Pioneers on the leaderboard.

Going into the fourth quarter, the game was tied 7-7. Carroll drove 12 yards with 6 plays, without a touchdown, resulting in a 28 yard field goal. The Pioneers go up 10-7, but the Bluejays battle back with an interception by CB Brandon Greer, leading to a QB Ryan Summers 3 yard run touchdown putting the Bluejays up 14 to 10.

The Bluejays almost pulled off the win without starting QB Orlando Hernandez. However, with 6 seconds left in the game, Carroll’s WB Parker Zitzke received a pass from QB Colton Bahling resulting in a game winning touchdown for the Pioneers. The Pioneers drove 73 yards with 17 plays in a heartbreaking loss for the Bluejays.

The Bluejays will be back in action, Saturday, September 29, at Carthage College.